Thoughts: Italicized

Regular P.O.V. : Johnny

P.O.V. Switched : Bold

Chapter 5: Twist and Shout

I looked at myself one last time in the mirror before giving a small smile in approval. No matter how much I comb my hair or add grease, it still hangs in my face. I then sighed before slipping on my jean-jacket and walked out the bathroom. I didn't want to stay any longer or else mom would wake up, or even worse, dad will come back home early. So I hurried but silently got out the house and looked around to see if Dad's car was anywhere in sight.

Seeing that it wasn't, I decided to go back to Ponyboy's house to hang around till he gets back from school. Even though it was still daylight, I still ran over to the place because I knew I couldn't risk walking alone.

Skipping past the small gate I hopped over and opened the door to see Two-bit and "Pony-boy?" I slowly closed the door behind me once I saw the boy sitting on the couch with Two-bit. "What are you doing back so early? I thought you were at school." I questioned him. He only looked at me and said, "Somethin happened at one of the science classes, next thing yah know, they told us that we could go back home." I didn't really bother to question any further.

"Hey, Johnnyboy" Two-bit paused for a second to take a swig of his beer. "Wanna come with me and Pony to Dairy Queen? We gonna get us some ice-cream since it's hot; but my main question is, why in the hell are you wearin that darn jacket?" He rose a brow at me along with Ponyboy. "You even got all cleaned up 'nd what not. What gives?"

"Nothin. Just nothin." I shoved my hands inside my pocket and turned my gaze elsewhere. Even though Two-bit was teasing with all them questions, I ain't mad at him. All I could do was think about Dally and what he said to me. I mean, gosh. What are we gonna do?-

"Hey! Earth to Johnny!" I flinched a little once Two-bit rose his voice. Blinking twice I stared at both him and Ponyboy who was turning off the T.V. "Well I'm broke, so I guess that mean Ponyboy is payin"

"No." Pony quickly said. "And I ain't gonna ask Soda neither, so you can forget it."

"Well there's always Dallas. Ya'know, he'll give a little money to us as long as Johnny is with us." I couldn't argue with that one. It was kind of true, but I didn't really know where Dally was at the moment. "I heard him and Tim are gonna rumble out by Rusty's. I dunno what for; he probably slashed Tim's tires again or somethin, but I know when we get there the fight'll be over. I mean we seen how Dallas fight, and it ain't a pretty sight."

All of us knew that whenever Dally was in a fight with Tim, it was mostly because he done something to his car. Even though he is the type no one would want to mess with, I still worry whenever he gets into a rumble with anyone. Did Dally carry a switchblade? Did Tim carry one too? Are they having a switchblade fight?! Which one got cut first?! Did Dally get stabbed?! ... What would I do if he did? And if he did, how bad is it? Will I have time to speak to him one last time and tell him how I felt event though he already knew? ... I'd tell him as many times till I die doing it.

"How do you know that it's going to end fast?" Ponyboy's voice snapped me out of my thought once we began to walk out the house.

"Cause Dallas don't carry switchblades. He don't need to since no one messes with him. So fight 's gonna be fair. A nice ol'skin fight." I then let go of a breath I didn't know I kept inside once I heard Two-bit say that. Ponyboy caught me doing it, so he silently stared at me. I only shook my head and gave a small smile to him, telling him `I'm okay´ in our own little language. So he gave a small smile in return and continued walking. That was the main thing I liked about Pony. We didn't have to talk much to get each other, but that's maybe because we're the most quiet ones throughout our gang. Especially me.

It didn't take too long for us to reach Rusty's and spot Dally smoking a cancer-stick by his car, and man did he look tuff.

Once we finally got to him, Two-bit quickly said with his Chester smile, "So! Where's Tim? Sent him and his gang runnin?" He asked. "You ought to. Look how busted your knuckles are! Yah really laid one on him." Both me and Ponyboy had then noticed the gash across his knuckles. It caused his hand to turn a little red, but maybe it was from the dry blood smeared across it. Dally only shrugged his shoulders and paused from smoking once he eyed me, but it didn't last for too long once I broke away from his gaze and looked down to the floor.

"Yeah. Little bastard tried to bite my fist but it didn't work once I socked him across the mouth. His teeth cut my knuckles, and I think I knocked a couple out." `Hm?!´ I felt something get stuck between my lips and noticed that Dally stuck his cigarette them, letting me finish the rest. I don't know if it was the sun, but the heat was starting to get to me at that moment because I could taste him on the stick. "He go and think I broke all the windows in his car when I didn't. If I did, everyone who know me `Know´ that I'm not going to lie about it."

I realized that I began to daydream so I decided to start talking to Ponyboy. Mostly for help.

"Hey, Ponyboy. Do you think you can go with me to the store right quick?" I licked my finger and burned out the cigarette before shoving it in my pocket for later. "I don't think I could find any bandages for Dally's hand around here 'nd what not. A-And I don't really know how to fix a cut like that even though I should after bein in the hospital all those times." I gave a small laugh. Both Dally and Two-but we're too busy talking to even notice me and Ponyboy talking.

He gave quick smile before saying, "Yeah I could, but it's not really necessary to fix something like that. Even if we got it you should already know that he'll only splash some water on it like it's nothin." He then shoved his thumbs in his pockets and paused for a moment. I couldn't help but think that he had a point. Dally got hit by a car by one of Tim's boys one day. He got up, pulled the guy out, start beatin him up, dusted himself off, and took the car. It was like he didn't know he got hit by a car.

"Anyway, I brought Johnnyboy cause he kept complaining 'bout wanting ice cream. He wanted to know if you willin to buy?" My eyes widened once I heard Two-bit lie.

"Bull shit- Ow!" Ponyboy said till he elbowed his side.

"Just get in the car." The blonde said without question to all of it surprise. Two-bit didn't bother asking questions either once he ran around the car and hopped inside the passenger seat. Ponyboy only sighed and went inside the backseat quietly, closing the door behind him. I was about to get inside as well till I felt him tap my shoulder lightly. "Hey. You ain't gotta get dolled up like that, Johnnycake. You're still gonna get your personal cream no matter what."

"What?" The temperature rose even high and my body felt like it was on fire. I didn't believe a single word I just heard and yet I wanted to fall to the floor and pass out. I didn't even notice Ponyboy opening the door and pulling me inside the backseat with him, and once my bottom sat on that cushion, the memory of our session filled my head all at once.

My leg crossed over the other as my stomach churned in discomfort. Personal cream. ... Dally's cream.